Your TR Source
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Judge Brown for his letter and his recent decision. Roosevelt refers to Brown as an “upright judge.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-13
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Robert G. Leidig for his letter and discusses Roosevelt’s position on the recall of judges in California and Arizona. Roosevelt supported the recall in Arizona in support of states’ rights, and the recall in California due to the close association of the judges with the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-07
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary refers J. W. Carpenter to issues of The Outlook for Roosevelt’s articles about the recall of judges and judicial decisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-06
President Roosevelt discusses recent attacks made against him by Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer. He considers Brewer one of the “corporation judges” who are naturally given to work against Roosevelt, and so appreciated William Allen White’s kind letter more than he was concerned by Brewer’s comments. Roosevelt is more concerned that individuals like Edward Henry Harriman and John D. Rockefeller would see to use and perhaps exacerbate the current economic crisis to undermine his presidency and turn public opinion against him. Roosevelt closes by asking that White keep this letter private.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-26
President Roosevelt refutes the points made in an article published in Collier’s Weekly accusing Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody of misconduct while overseeing the Oregon land fraud scandal as Attorney General. The article alleged that Moody’s personal grudge against the chief prosecutor of the trial, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Francis J. Heney, led to him nearly undermining the case by allowing a U.S. Marshal implicated in the scandal to remain in his position, suggesting a potentially compromised judge to sit the case, and refusing to appoint the Heney-recommended William C. Bristol as District Attorney.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-26
President Roosevelt refutes the points made in an article published in Collier’s Weekly accusing Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody of misconduct while overseeing the Oregon land fraud scandal as Attorney General. The article alleged that Moody’s personal grudge against the chief prosecutor of the trial, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Francis J. Heney, led to him nearly undermining the case by allowing a U.S. Marshal implicated in the scandal to remain in his position, suggesting a potentially compromised judge to sit the case, and refusing to appoint the Heney-recommended William C. Bristol as District Attorney. The piece has several handwritten additions and notes which Roosevelt includes in the final draft of his piece.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-10-26
President Roosevelt has not personally investigated Judge James Wickersham’s case but Senator Philander C. Knox has looked into the matter and is convinced that Wickersham is “all right.” A full investigation will be made into Senator McCumber’s allegations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-06
President Roosevelt sends Senator Scott a newspaper clipping he is concerned about, and asks Senator Scott to preserve the clipping and return it to him after he has read it. Roosevelt believes that the article shows that the person referenced does not demonstrate “the kind of dignity to be expected in a man fitted to occupy a judicial position.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-29
President Roosevelt is appreciative of Thomas Goode Jones’s service as a district judge and will write to Lyman Abbott regarding the action Jones suggested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-06-22
President Roosevelt asks Judge Jones for advice about the judgement of a personal friend. He believes the boy should serve three months and then “purchase his discharge.” Roosevelt knows he must remember to treat the case as if a close friend “of high social standing” was not involved.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-12-30
The charges against Judge Humphreys were never substantiated. President Roosevelt was prejudiced against Humphreys but the case had broken down.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
President Roosevelt appreciates the perspective offered in David Starr Jordan’s letters regarding Hawaiian affairs. Roosevelt clarifies his decision regarding Judge Humphreys.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-07
Albert Henry Walker fears that the independence of the federal judiciary can lead to irresponsible behavior as federal judges can only be removed through impeachment. He suggests that federal judges should be able to be recalled similar to the plan for state judges in Arizona. He supports his suggestion with the case of Judge Henry W. Blodgett who altered his judicial conduct after facing potential impeachment. He also points to Judge R. W. Archbald whose current deviations from impartial justice cannot be corrected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-09
An article condones President Roosevelt’s decision not to respond to Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer’s public questioning of Roosevelt’s personal and political suitability for office, arguing that Brewer should not have interjected himself in politics as a justice on the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-26
Supreme Court Justice Harlan is surprised that President Roosevelt has been having trouble appointing his son, James Shanklin Harlan, to the Interstate Commerce Commission because of his familial connection. Such objections if followed, Harlan points out, would preclude any family member of a Justice from being appointed to any sort of federal or state judgeship. Harlan feels that Supreme Court Justices recognize the weight of their office and would be able to impartially judge the actions of family members, and moreover act as one of a group, which would not allow them to act unilaterally in any case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-05
An article reports on allegations made by Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer that President Roosevelt has been playing “hide-and-seek” with the American people regarding whether he will run for a third term. The article holds that Roosevelt has made his unwillingness to run again clear enough and criticizes Brewer for inserting himself into political debates as a justice on the Supreme Court.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-11-22
Governor Winfield T. Durbin of Indiana has refused to return William Sylvester Taylor to Kentucky because he does not believe Taylor will be fairly judged by Judge Cantrill. Governor John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham of Kentucky has defended Cantrill.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
Collection of newspaper articles criticizing Alabama Secretary of State Heflin for his attacks on Judge Jones. Heflin found fault with Judge Jones’s instructions to the jury in the Turner peonage case.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-26
The federal jury trying the peonage case found Robert N. Franklin guilty. Afterwards, Judge Jones spoke eloquently on the public controversy regarding his attitude in the peonage cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-26
David Starr Jordan would be pleased to write about his experiences in Hawaii. He believes that President Roosevelt suitably handled the charges against Judge Humphreys.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-14